30 gallon Birch Leave Crock and lid.

Question: The two photos are of a crock we found.  We are not sure if the lid is original to the crock and what the value may be if mint. Thank you, Laura and Andy

Answer: Laura and Andy, the lid on this 30 gallon crock is Red Wing.  If lid were mint the value is $300. If the crock were mint $250 to $300.  al

6 gallon elephant ear Ice Water

Question: Hi – I was lucky enough to recently purchase this 6 gallon Ice Water, it is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.  The lack of an oval and presence of a bung hole make it somewhat different from the other elephant ears that are pictured in the Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia.  Where in the timeline does that put this?  Could you give an estimate value?  Thanks a bunch! John Throop

Answer: this is a really gorgeous Ice Water, but the values today are very soft. The book value on this piece is $5000 to $7000 but selling price may only be $3000. High and pieces like this are not catching top value as in the past because of the market conditions and the economy. Al

Red Wing Success Filter

Question:

Hi, we have this coming up in an auction January 12th and people have been telling us we have something pretty rare as far as being complete and in good condition. Could you give us an idea of approximate value?

Thanks, Mac

Answer: the Red Wing Success Filter does not have the correct lid.  It has the correct star around the button, but there needs to be two blue lines going around the lid.  This lid is a North Star crock lid and not the orginal Success Filter lid.  If all the pieces are in perfect condition the value is between $450 & $500.  Al

 

WM Radams Microbe Killer jug

Question:

I have a stone Jug that I found while hunting for antique bottles around1984.  It has embossed on the shoulders “Wm  RADAMS MICROBE KILLER” On the bottom it says ” Red Wing Stone Ware Co. At that time I found it I was aware of antique bottle that is quite valuable to bottle collectors. it has the same company name and a skeleton embossed on it. I also read some information on the company. It indicated that this company was only in existence for a short period of time as the particular medicine was some type of acid mixed with alcohol that killed more people then it cured.

I am trying to establish the value of the jugs, Years ago I saw another jug with the same company name on it but it was different in structure. Paul

Answer: Paul, the “Wm  RADAMS MICROBE KILLER” bottom signed jug has a value between $300 & $350.  al

5 gallon 6 inch Beehive Jug and Dairy Jug

Question:

I think you talked about this white top dairy jug in your lattest news letter. Wondering what it might be worth. 

Also, I just purchased this 5 gallon behive, 6 inch wing, with no oval and is in exellent condition. Do you know the timeframe of when it was made, it’s rarity and worth? Thanks Dale.

Answer:

Dale, , the 5 gallon Red Wing Beehive with the 6 inch wing was produced between 1909 & 1915. Value in perfect condition is between $350 & $400.  The dairy jug is quite common and has a value between $150 & $200.  al

5 gallon Colfax Mineral Water Jug

Question:

I have this 5 gallon Colfax Mineral Water jug and am curious about the value.  It has a chip and roughness on the spout.  Also, has a small discolored crack on one side of the advertisement.  I am thinking of selling it and have been told that is collectable.

Thank you for your assistance,

Brenda

Answer:

Brenda, these Red Wing Colfax advertising beehives in mint condition have value in the area of $850 to $900 today.   With the chip in the spout and the crack on the size amount the other flaws, the value would be in the area of $200 to $300.  Al

Minnesota Stoneware Jug markings

Question: Hi Al,

Was wondering about a ½ gallon white Minnesota Stoneware jug that I  just picked up. On the bottom it has the following markings inscribed (not raised): 

MINNESOTA STONEWARE CO but no Redwing Minnesota. Looking through the book that I have, It looked as though all the markings shown had Redwing Minnesota (or some variation) on them. Is it unusual to find jugs without the Redwing Minnesota on them? If so, does it make them worth more? If so, by how much?

Thank You,

Darrell

Answer: Darell, there are a number of different markings on the smaller pieces made by both Red Wing and the Minnesota Stoneware Company that may or may not be in the books.  The markings on the bottom of a piece does not raise the value.  Values are raised due any advertisiing or decorations on the piece.  Hope this helps. al

Many Stolen Red Wing Collectors Society Items Recovered

Red Wing, MN. After discovering on Nov. 8 that its storage unit had been burglarized and several hundred pieces had been stolen; the Red Wing Collectors Society has made good progress in recovering many of the items.

Most of the Red Wing stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery that was stolen had been donated by RWCS members to be used for the KidsView Program that takes place during the RWCS Annual Convention in Red Wing, MN.

After contacting about 50 antique shops in the Red Wing area, RWCS Executive Director Stacy Wegner tracked down more than 150 pieces of the Society’s Red Wing pottery that had been sold to an antique dealer in Lake City, Minn. Thanks Wegner’s perseverance and help from the Red Wing Police Department, these pieces were returned to the RWCS on Friday, Dec. 9.

Wegner and KidsView Co-chair Sue Jones Tagliapietra were very excited to have the pieces returned and are working together to determine what is still missing.

“The Red Wing Police helped us recover much more than expected,” Wegner said. “Many of the returned pieces are Restaurant Ware and other shape blanks that will be used for the KidsView ‘Paint Your Plate Event’ at the Convention. Hopefully we’ll be able to locate the rest of the stolen items.”

The Red Wing Collectors Society will celebrate its 35th anniversary at its Convention next summer, which will take place July 12-14, 2012. The RWCS is the largest collectors society in the nation and more than 1200 members are expected to attend the event, making the Convention the premier place to buy and sell Red Wing stoneware and pottery.

The Red Wing Police Department is looking into persons of interest and the investigation is ongoing. The public has been supportive and police are receiving tips on potential suspects. Please contact the Red Wing Police Department at 651-267-2600 if you know the whereabouts of these pieces or are offered any of these items for purchase. For more information, contact Stacy Wegner at swegner@redwingcollectors.org or 800-977-7927.

Photos of recovered items:

2011 Commemoratives items to be auctioned at MidWinter

Commemorative Manager Bob Morawski announced today that there will be both silent and live auctions for 2011 Commemorative items at the 2012 MidWinter GetTogether in Des Moines, IA – February 10-12.

Version “A” has a lazy 8 target design, version “B” has a butterfly and version “C” has a bird. The Commemoratives are all stamped just like vintage churns. The stamp can appear on the front, back or either side. The stamp resembles a vintage slit oval stamp and reads “RWCS Convention 2011″. The Commemoratives were produced by Maple City Pottery in Monmouth, Illinois. The churns were hand-turned, hand-decorated and glazed with hand-thrown salt. The churn lid was pressed in a two-piece mold.(Click here to learn more)

Photo of 2011 Commemorative versions available: triple, top center; Version A, bottom left; Version B, bottom center; Version C, bottom right.

Members attending the 2012 MidWinter GetTogether will have two opportuntiese to add to their commemorative collections.

Beginning Friday, February 10 at Registration the Silent Auction begins. The silent auction will will include:

1. Set of version A, B, and C, 2011 commemoratives
2. One Triple – one piece featuring all three decorations
3. 5, Kids View versions

For the first time, the RWCS Commemorative was available in a life-size version at the 2011 Convention. Members attending various Convention events had the opportunity to bid on these life-size 4 gallon churns. Morawski reserved one set of these life-size pieces for MidWinter. At the Friday Night Speakeasy these pieces will be auction at MidWinter!

1. Version A
2. Version B
3. Version C
4. Triple, all 3 decorations on one piece
5. Special
6. Kids View Version

Photo taken at the 2011 Convention shows the life-size versions of the commemoratives.

So make plans to head to MidWinter in Des Moines, IA – February 10-12. We hope to see you there.  To learn more about MidWinter visit our event page or contact us. Click here to register today!